Knowing that Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians, (Galatians 1:1-5), I felt it would be fitting to do a brief biography on who he was.
·
Jewish name was Sha’ul – and would have been
referred to as Rav Sha’ul (Rabbi Saul).
o
Paul was the Greek equivalent in the same way Markus
is the Scandinavian equivalent to Mark
o
His name was not changed after his vision. There is no scripture reference to prove his
name was changed.
·
Misunderstood, even during his life. 2 Peter 3:15-16
·
Born as a Roman citizen. Acts 22:28 - Historically, Roman citizenship
meant high status. It could be obtained
by being born in a Roman territory of parents that were citizens, serving in
their military, or by purchasing the citizenship. The idea that Paul was born a citizen, and
that his parents were Jewish, implies that his parents were probably wealthy
and had purchased their citizenship.
·
Israelite, from the tribe of Benjamin. Romans 11:1-2
o
Potentially named after King Saul, also from the
tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:21)
·
Born into traditional Jewish family. Philippians
3:5
·
Pharisee with a Pharisee father - Philippians
3:5 and Acts 23:6
o
According to the historian, Josephus, only
approximately 6,000 Pharisees existed around this time
o
Pharisees believed that we have free will, but
God knows our choices beforehand.
Sadducees believed in total free will.
o
Pharisees believed in life after death and resurrection. Sadducees did not believe in life after death
or resurrection
o
Pharisees represented more the middle class,
common people. Sadducees were higher
society, typically wealthy.
o
Not all Pharisees were bad as commonly
portrayed. Rabbi Gamileal (Sanhedrin)
defended the movement of Christ followers (Acts 5). Rabbi Nicodemus (Sanhedrin)
tried to befriend and understand Jesus (John 3). Some Pharisees tried to warn Jesus (Luke
13:31)
·
Skilled worker -
Acts 18:3
o
He was not above working for a living. He had a skilled trade, which, at that time,
he probably learned from his father.
o
The term tent has been discussed a lot
throughout the scholar world. There is a
possibility that tent actually meant he worked with leather.
o
The other high probability is that he made tallits
(Jewish prayer shawl). The Hebrew slang
for tallit is tent.
·
Trained under Rabbi Gamileal - Acts
22:3
o
“Trained under the feet” – is a term referring
to being personally trained by Rabbi Gamileal.
Many Jews could have claimed being followers of Rabbi Gamileal, similar
to saying they follow the Pope’s teaching or theology. By using the term, “trained under the feet,”
Paul is saying, “I was personally trained by Rabbi Gamileal.”
·
Sold out for God, not man’s teaching
o
Galatians 1:10
o
Acts 9:1 & 14 – although a Pharisee, he was
so convinced that Christ followers were spreading false teaching, he asked the
high priest, a Sadducee, for permission to persecute. His zeal for God outweighed his loyalty to
the Pharisaic sect. He followed his love
for God not the teachings of men.
o
Wanted salvation for all mankind – common Jewish theology then was that only Jews could
obtain salvation.
§
Romans 10:1 - prayed for Israel
§
Galatians 1:16 - preached to Gentiles
·
Converted through a vision, not through
apostolic teaching – Acts 9:1-9
·
Respected Jewish Rabbi (Torah observant)
o
Romans 7:12, 14, 22-25
o
Acts 24:11-15
o
Acts 20:6
o
Proved Torah observance to apostles and other
leaders - Acts 21:17-26
o
Convincingly argues scripture - Acts 18:28
o
Taught in one synagogue for 3 months - Acts 19:8
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